Gathering her leather coat about her, she pushed off the tall mausoleum that had been her perch and landed in a crouch on the moonlit pathway. Yes, time played games and change was inevitable. There was a time when she cared, even grieved for the people’s lives she changed with her hunger. But after so many victims and so many meals, one had to gain perspective or go mad. Maybe she’d unconsciously found middle ground and was both realistic and mad. Javier had been right. She would change throughout the years, even if her skin remained supple. Inside was where her kind withered, despite the flawless outer visage.
Casually walking along she spied a group of teenagers getting high. Easy marks but not a fair choice. They’d yet to even begin their lives.
That was her rule. Take only enough to live, and feed only from those who have no life truly left. It made her think of herself as less of a monster, as well as had made her Javier’s favorite to tease. However, ethics, in the game of life and death, were paramount to her. If one had no civility left then the world was sheer chaos.
The heady scent of lovers drew her attention and made her fangs crest. From the shadows she watched for a moment and then pushed onward. That would be cruel, even though the best blood contained the rush of endorphins and adrenaline… still, she could not bring herself to do something so horrible. That only reminded her of Élan.
She shook off the memory, rubbing it away from her arms like a bad chill. It was time to get out of the graveyard and go to the bustling streets where thoughts could be read and fates could be decided. It had been several nights since she’d fed. Hunger had begun to claw at her insides making her less discriminating. If she didn’t feed tonight, by the next evening, she’d be beyond honor. Tonight addressing the beast within was a necessary evil.
Perhaps a local strip club would do. The homeless were thinning out in her territory and they were a truly rank catch. Sometimes a woman wanted to dine upscale. Tonight was such a night.
But as she blended into the shadows, moving with the vagaries of the wind, Élan forced his way back into her mind. He was toying with her; she could feel it. The lusty bastard had made her, but that didn’t mean she had to give him the satisfaction of enjoying her. One night, a simple one night stand, and she was forever young.
Hurrying to where there were plenty of pedestrians out enjoying the brisk fall eve, she hurled herself amongst the cacophony of thoughts, blotting out Élan’s call. Of course he could make her come to him against her will, but that took all of the sport out of it for him.
As she rounded a corner to blend in with a herd of yuppies that were out enjoying wine and espresso at outdoor café tables, Javier grabbed her arm. His blue-black irises overtook his normal honey-brown eye-tone and his smile widened, showing a hint of fang.
“You must be famished, darling, to allow me to come so close and catch you unaware. That’s a dangerous thing in the perilous times we lie in.”
She gave him a Euro-kiss, pecking both his cheeks with deep affection. “You are lucky that I love you.”
“Ahhh… then all is forgiven.”
“Forgiven?” Confused, she arched an eyebrow. “And my offense?”
“Dining alone on such a gorgeous eve.” He extended his elbow to her, eliciting a smile. “Bon, mon cherie. I will observe your table manners and will adhere to your rules of selection…but don’t leave me to my own devices tonight.”
“I will not eat with you, not when you tease me about being so finicky.” In mock agitation, she tossed her hair over her shoulder and lifted her chin, even though she’d taken his arm.
“I promise to behave.”
She gave him a wink. “I’m possible for you.”
“True,” he said with a delighted chuckle. “But please relent. I’m just so bored that I will go out of my mind without a little company.”
